Japan Underwater Robots

Japan Underwater Robots

It’s the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in a way you’ve never seen before. Researchers from USF’s Center for Ocean Technology spent a week in the northern Japan, where they used underwater robots to assist authorities. University Beat on WUSF TV has their story, along with some of the incredible video and pictures from the scene.

Researchers at USF's Center for Ocean Technology have returned to the States after a weeklong mission to Northern Japan. This week's University Beat on WUSF 89.7 tells you how the team used underwater robots to help search some of the areas damaged by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Video Extras

Dr. Robin Murphy, Director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) at Texas A&M University, talks about how the damage in Japan dwarves anything she saw during similar missions after hurricanes in the U.S. The former USF professor was previously profiled in this University Beat report.

Another former USF researcher, Dr. Eric Steimle, Program Manager for Applied Environmental & Ocean Sciences (AEOS), talks about how the remotely operated vehicles (ROV’s) are continuing to evolve.

Video of the AC-ROV underwater video camera and sensor platform as it scans the wreckage of a house in Rikuzentakata. (courtesy CRASAR & NSF)

Sonar image of a structure captured by a Sarbot vehicle in Minamisanriku. (courtesy CRASAR & NSF)

Video image of a structure captured by a Sarbot vehicle in Minamisanriku. (courtesy CRASAR & NSF)

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Host:

Mark Schreiner

Mark Schreiner has been the producer and reporter for "University Beat" on WUSF 89.7 FM since 2001 and on WUSF TV since 2007. He has worked as an anchor, reporter and producer at radio stations in Tampa and his native Chicago since 1992.

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mschreiner@wusf.org
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